Daylight Savings Ending and Baby Sleep
Mar 25, 2025
The end of Daylight Savings is nearly here in Australia. On Sunday, 6th April 2025, at 3.00am, our clocks will automatically "fall" back an hour while we sleep.
Yay for a sleep in… said no parent ever.
While this change may seem small, it can have a big impact on your baby’s sleep schedule, wake-up times, and overall routine. Babies and toddlers thrive on consistency, so adjusting to a new time can take a little time and effort. The good news? With some simple strategies, you can help your baby ease into the time change without major sleep disruptions.
What to Expect with the End of Daylight Savings
When the clocks go back, your baby’s body clock will still be set to the old time. This means if they normally wake at 7.00am, they may now wake at 6.00am.
You might also notice:
- Earlier wake-ups in the morning
- Bedtime "feeling too early
- Nap schedule shifting forward
- Increased fussiness or difficulty settling
These changes happen because your baby’s circadian rhythm (internal body clock) is still on the old time, and it may take a few days to adjust. To help your little one transition smoothly, we have some tips to support this change to their sleep.
Adjust Gradually or Jump Straight In?
This is going to be entirely dependent on your bub’s temperament and personality.
- Are they flexible with being out of routine?
- Are they very touchy to their exact awake windows?
- Are they sensitive to change?
If so – your child will likely respond better to adjusting slowly and we suggest starting to make adjustments to your child's schedule up to a week before the time change. This means you are going to be bringing their entire routine forward by 15min every two days.
The charts below uses a generic 7.00am wake up time - adjust to suit your baby's wake time.
Alternatively, if your little one is less sensitive to change, you could start adjusting their schedule from Thursday by shifting their day forward by 15 minutes.
Or, if your baby adjusts extremely well to change and will fall into the new routine without any hassle...
Make absolutely no changes and deal with it when the time comes! It may take some time, but your baby will naturally adjust to the time change, even without any intervention.
Other Tips to Help Your Baby Adjust
✔ Use light to reset their body clock – Expose them to natural light in the morning and dim lights before bed.
✔ Stay consistent – Stick to predictable nap, meal, and bedtime routines to help their body adjust.
✔ Adjust bedtime if needed – If wake-ups are too early, gradually extend wake windows to stay on track.
✔ Optimise the sleep space – Keep the room dark, check the temperature, and use white noise to reduce disruptions.
Final Thoughts
Your baby will adjust with time. Whether you gradually shift their routine or jump straight into the new schedule, consistency is key to making the transition smoother.
Need some help to tackling daylight savings? If your previously great sleeper has thrown you for a loop or if these changes are causing some anxiety, book a 30 minute chat!
Until next time,
The Sleepy Little Bubs Team x
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